Entergy substation problem sparks more power outages

Power outages climb after some restoration in metro

The New Orleans City Council held an emergency meeting Tuesday to ask questions about the power company's response to Hurricane Isaac.

Entergy substation problem sparks more power outages

Power outages climb after some restoration in metro

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Updated: 5:49 PM CDT Sep 4, 2012

NEW ORLEANS —

A substation problem has caused more outages in the New Orleans metro area.

Entergy company officials appeared before City Council members Tuesday at an emergency meeting to discuss the outages. Entergy New Orleans President and CEO Charles Rice said his company was doing a good job in its response to Hurricane Isaac.

"We believe that, when it bares out, that our response to this storm was not just appropriate or reasonable, but outstanding," Rice said.

Entergy officials did admit that there was room for improvement. Some customers said they were fed up with the outages.

"I am sick and tired of it. I didn't come here for a 'Kumbaya' session. I came here for hardcore answers," Joseph McCasner said.

New Orleans City Council members criticized the company for its new website that is advertised as a way to keep customers informed about outages. Councilwoman Cynthia Hedge-Morrell said the site was not living up to its claims.

"Let's learn that real-time info has to be given out to our citizens," she said.

Another controversial topic discussed at the meeting was the idea of using stronger poles to support power lines.

"If we are going to replace poles, why not invest in cement poles instead of creosote poles we know will deteriorate?" Hedge-Morrell said.

According to Entergy, more than 16,000 were without power about 4 p.m. Tuesday. The number of outages in Orleans Parish at 2 p.m. was about 5,000.

Areas of Mid-City and the Central Business District were left without power as a result of the substation problem.

Entergy said it didn't have a timeline for the restoration.

Both the City Council and Entergy admitted that better storm preparation would be a good idea.

"Its incumbent on us as regulators to do a better job of making sure Entergy spends money wisely," councilwoman at-large Stacy Head said.